Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; Chairman and CEO: Hisashi Ietsugu) announces the July 2020 launch of its OncoGuideTM NET1 expert panel support system (the "System"), which enhances the administrative efficiency of expert panels2 in cancer genome profiling.The OncoGuideTM NET allows for the sharing of information needed for discussions byexpert panels, which consist of experts in various disciplines from multiple medical institutions, and arrangement of session schedules. When connected to the OncoGuideTM Portal,3 the System retrieves test results. With these functions being managed under an information security environment complying with the Three Guidelines from Three Ministries (3G3M),4 the System supports the establishment of an efficient framework for cancer genomic medicine.
Sysmex received manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for the first time and then approval for insurance coverage for its OncoGuideTM NCC Oncopanel System to be used in cancer genome profiling, making the system readily available to medical institutions. At the same time, we have implemented a complete domestic testing service, with comprehensive support that includes an assay service by RIKEN GENESIS.5
One of the challenges of spreading cancer genomic medicine at an accelerated pace in Japan’s healthcare setting is how they can go about increasing the efficiency of expert panels, inwhich medical professionals from multiple institutions participate. In response to the expectations of such medical professionals, in July 2020, we will start providing the System to cancer genomic medicine core hospitals, hub hospitals, and liaison hospitals that organize expert panels.
The System allows for the sharing of patient information and analysis results, which are necessary for discussions byexpert panels, a process with a particularly demanding workload, and efficient arrangement of session schedules. When connected to the OncoGuideTM Portal, the System performs automatic input of IDs and other data and retrieves test results. The System is managed under an advanced information security environment complying with the Three Guidelines from Three Ministries (3G3M) by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan.
Going forward, Sysmex aims to contribute to the clinical implementation of genomic medicine in Japan by providing high-value-added information useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and the selection of anti-cancer drugs. To this end, we will expand the functions of the System, such as linking case information files of theCenter for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT)6 and analyzing the activities by previous expert panels, in addition to enhancing the efficiency of expert panels.
By delivering the OncoGuideTM NET, together with the cancer genome profiling system, Sysmex will lead the efforts towards realizing personalized medicine, so that we can reduce the workload of medical professionals, improve patients' quality of life (QOL), and contribute to the advancement and progress of healthcare.
References
"Sysmex Receives Manufacturing and Marketing Approval to Use the OncoGuideTM NCC Oncopanel System in Cancer Genome Profiling," released on December 25, 2018
https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/news/2019/190221.html
"Commencement of Assay Service Using the OncoGuideTM NCC Oncopanel System in Cancer Genome Profiling," released on February 21, 2019
https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/news/2019/190221.html"
The OncoGuideTM NCC Oncopanel System Receives Insurance Coverage for Use in Cancer Genome Profiling," released on May 31, 2019
https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/news/2019/190531.html
Terminology
1 OncoGuideTM NET:
NET is short for Network for Expert Panel Team.
2 Expert panel:
A committee comprised of experts from diverse fields, including cancer medication, medical genetics, genetic counseling, pathology, molecular genetics, and cancer genomic medicine, from multiple medical institutions, as well as the attending physician. Determines implications of analysis results of cancer genome profiling and suggests therapies optimized for individual patients.
3 OncoGuideTMPortal:
Monitors progress in testing at providers of lab-assay services using the OncoGuideTMNCC Oncopanel System and retrieves electronic files of test reports.
4 Three Guidelines from Three Ministries (3G3M):
Refers collectively to the three separate guidelines drawn up by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan in line with the roadmap for the development of medical information safety management guidelines for reasons of security, etc. of electronic medical information.
5 RIKEN GENESIS Co., Ltd.:
A subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation that provides lab-assay services for genetic testing.
6 Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT):
A platform for constructing a "cancer genomics information repository," a master database of sequence information and clinical information obtained from genomic analyses conducted by hospitals implementing cancer genomic medicine and elsewhere, and for building a cancer genome knowledge database for interpreting and determining the clinical implicationsof genome analysis results.
